Today’s song of the day was originally from the film Popeye, but my inspiration came from P.T. Anderson’s Punch-Drunk Love, which in my strange film geek mind is one of the best romantic comedies ever made. From Punch-Drunk Love’s soundtrack, it’s Shelley Duvall’s “He Needs Me.”

Why? Because even though Popeye is known to be a pretty crappy film, and the singing is kind of childish, its repetition in Punch-Drunk Love actually worked for the dreamy nature of that particular section of the film.

Here’s the trailer for Punch-Drunk Love (which features the song).

The big hoopla just before the release of Stephanie Sun’s 2003 album “To Be Continued” was her
newfound music influence from her trip to India. Of course, that turned out to be another gimmick, since she’s pretty much singing the same style of pop songs 4 years later. Today’s song of the day is inspired by a song I found in Sun’s latest album “Against the Light”. Specifically, the track is track 5 Unforgettable (not a translated title, it was the English title given to the song in the booklet), which I felt resemble”I’m Not Sad,” which I felt was the best track from “To be Continued.” Of course, that’s because it’s written by the same composer. So today’s song of the day is Stephanie Sun’s “I’m Not Sad.”

Why? Sun’s voice have always been fit for this type of slow ballad that builds up into a big climax, and it was perfect for this song. It’s Karaoke-friendly pop stuff, but at least it’s classy Karaoke-friendly pop stuff.

Here’s “Unforgettable,” or what I called in the review “the unofficial companion song to ‘I’m Not Sad.’”

Today’s song of the day can be found on albums by two artists, depending on your preference. Personally, I liked Queen, but I’m sure there are a lot of David Bowie fans out there as well. Yup, it doesn’t need much introduction anymore - it’s Queen and David Bowie’s “Under Pressure.”

Why? It has one of the most recognizable opening chords in the history of pop music, which ended up inspiring one of the most embarrassing rap songs ever done. With that much history behind it, it’s amazing why I haven’t picked it yet.

And you know I was going to pull this out. It’s Ice Ice Baby…..baby.

Today’s song of the day comes from Juno Mak, the once-hated pop star that was criticized of being only in the business because of his family connection and for singing crappy Karaoke-friendly pop songs, much like Edison Chen when he first joined the business. Since his contract was up with Universal (where he sang said crappy Karaoke-friendly pop song), he remained in the business because of his family connection. His brother, the publisher of Hong Kong fashion magazine Milk, formed his own record company, and of course Juno would become the first one to join.

However, he actually used his money to do good - his music since then has gradually improved, starting with first Silly Thing album Proto. I haven’t heard his latest album, the three-year effort Chapel of Dawn, yet, but I know that his 2005 EP Otherside was among one of the best of 2005. That’s where today’s song of the day comes from, it’s “Androgyny.”

Why? Because it’s the best track out of that EP. It’s a trippy and atmospheric piece that uses vocals to create the mood set by the title. Hell, it showed that this Juno guy might have some talent.

Today’s song of the day is again inspired by a movie (when is it isn’t?). From the excellent Japanese sports film Ping Pong, this is the film’s theme song by the broken up techno group Supercar. I first heard this song in the trailer for Ping Pong, only to find out the film is a much more cerebral experience than its energetic theme song would suggest. From the film’s awesome soundtrack and the album Highvision, it’s Supercar’s “Yumegiwa Last Boy.”

Why? Because it was a very rare instance where a film’s theme song hooked me as much as this song did. Because Supercar was one of the coolest techno group to come out of Japan. Just close your eye and get into it.

Here is the trailer, where it all began.

Today’s Song of the Day is inspired by one of my favorite films from 2006 Babel and its soundtrack, not because I’m in a disco phase. When I heard this song, the whole movie suddenly picked up for me, and I knew then I was watching something great. From Earth, Wind, & Fire, it’s “September.”

Why? It’s hip, and it’s groovy, man. What else do you need?

I can’t find the MTV, so here are two live versions instead.

And here it is used in the film.

Another classic song for today’s Song of the Day. With the new dramas starting up in Japan, I figure I should present one of my favorite drama theme songs. From the classic hit drama “Long Vacation” starring Kimura Takuya, it’s Toshinobu Kubota’s “La La La Love Song.”

Why? Because it’s one of those breezy J-pop song that really matched with the tone and the images of the drama. I still think it’s one of the best Japanese drama intros I’ve seen.

Here is the intro I was writing about

I believe today’s song was chosen by fate. Last night I caught a broadcast of the classic film Saturday Night Fever. I’ve never seen the whole thing in its entirety (honestly, it didn’t even look like that good of a movie), but any film fan has probably seen at least parts of it because of the soundtrack. I watched the opening 20 minutes, and I heard today’s song when I manage to catch the last 20 minutes. And then this morning at the dentist, I heard the song again playing on the radio at the clinic. That’s when I knew the Bee Gees were calling out to me. You may call me silly, but I can’t escape fate. So from the Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack, it’s “How Deep is Your Love”

Why? Because John Travolta emoted to this song at the end of the movie!

“1960 April 16th, one minute before 3 pm, we were together. I’ll remember that minute because of you. We’re one-minute friends from now on. This is fact, you can’t deny it because it’s already past.”—-Days of Being Wild.

Originally appeared on 1992’s The Legend of Pop Queen Part II album, but now only available on compilations such as this one, today’s song of the day is inspired by Wong Kar-Wai’s Days of Being Wild. The line above is probably my favorite moment in Wong Kar-Wai film history. That’s why today’s song of the day is the film’s theme song by Anita Mui - “It’s Like This”

Why? It’s one of my favorite moments from one of my favorite movies. This should make this one of my favorite songs. Even if it’s not, it’s awfully fitting for the film, isn’t it?

Here’s a Mandarin cover done by Leslie Cheung, with the famous moment right at the very end.

Today’s song of the day is from this album by the now defunct-band Luna Sea. I personally found this song when it was featured in the classic drama “Kamisama Mou Sugoshi Dake,” which I suspect is how a lot of people found this song as well. Not much introduction is necessary, it’s Luna Sea’s “I For You.”

Why? Because it was a huge part of my teenage years and an essential part of my Japanese culture acquisition. But why now? I just felt like it.

Here it is used in the drama.